Method for selectively washing used reaction cuvettes in an automatic analyzer

Abstract

A method for cleansing used reaction cuvettes so that whenever certain assays are to be or have been performed in the reaction cuvette, the cuvette is automatically subjected to an additional cleaning operation by providing a number of washing and drying manifolds, each of which is independently selectively activated to perform or not perform a cleaning operation.

1. A method for cleansing a used reaction cuvette such that whenever an assay in a first group of assays is determined to be scheduled to be next performed in the cuvette by examining an identity of assays yet to be performed, the cuvette is cleansed by a first series of cleansing operations and whenever an assay in a second group of assays is determined to be scheduled to be next performed in the cuvette by examining the identify of assays yet to be performed, the cuvette is cleansed by a second different series of cleansing operations. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first group of assays comprises assays previously determined to potentially have inaccurate assay results if reaction residues in a cleansed used cuvette are greater than a known value and wherein the second group of assays comprises assays previously determined to not potentially have inaccurate assay results if reaction residues in a cleansed used cuvette are greater than the known value. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the cleansing operations comprise a series of mini-washes followed by vacuum drying the cuvette. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first series of cleansing operations includes more cleansing operations than the second series of cleansing operations. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3  wherein the assays involve potentially harmful agents and residue from the mini-washes is discharged into a first secure storage and wherein the assays involve biological or innocuous chemical agents and residue from the mini-washes is discharged into a second secure storage.